The Compleat ^Angler 



bowler, I am not totally devoted to my own pleasure ; but that I 

 have also some regard to other men's. And now, sir, you are come 

 to the door, pray walk in, and there we will sit and talk as long as 

 you please. 



VIAT. Stay, what's here over the door ? PISCATORIBUS SACRUM. 

 Why then, I perceive I have some title here ; for I am one of them, 

 though one of the worst ; and here below it is the cypher too you 

 speak of, and 'tis prettily contrived. Has my master Walton ever 

 been here to see it, for it seems new built ? 



Pise. Yes, he saw it cut in the stone before it was set up ; but 

 never in the posture it now stands ; for the house was but building 

 when he was last here, and not raised so high as the arch of the door. 

 And I am afraid he will not see it yet ; for he has lately writ me 

 word, he doubts his coming down this summer ; which, I do assure 

 you, was the worst news he could possibly have sent me. 



VIAT. Men must sometimes mind their affairs to make more room 

 for their pleasures ; and 'tis odds he is as much displeased with the 

 business that keeps him from you, as you are that he comes not. 

 But I am most pleased with this little house of any thing I ever saw : 

 it stands in a kind of peninsula too, with a delicate clear river about 

 it. I dare hardly go in, lest I should not like it so well within as 

 without ; but, by your leave, I'll try. Why, this is better and better, 

 fine lights, fine wainscoted, and all exceeding neat, with a marble table 

 and all in the middle ! 



Pise. Enough, sir, enough ; I have laid open to you the part 

 where I can worst defend myself, and now you attack me there. 

 Come, boy, set two chairs ; and whilst I am taking a pipe of tobacco, 

 which is always my breakfast, we will, if you please, talk of some 

 other subject. 



VIAT. None fitter, then, sir, for the time and place, than those 

 instructions you promised. 



Pise. I begin to doubt, by something I discover in you, whether 

 I am able to instruct you, or no ; though, if you are really a stranger 

 to our clear northern rivers, I still think I can ; and therefore, since 

 it is yet too early in the morning at this time of the year, to-day 

 being but the seventh of March, to cast a fly upon the water, if you 



294 



